Paterson Spares No One in Blunt State of the State Speech

Oswego, NY – Governor David Paterson, looking stern as he faced the crowdedAssembly chamber, dispensed with the usual pleasantries of backslapping and acknowledgments. He instead launched into a fiery speechthat spared no one at the Capitol.

Calling it "the winter of reckoning", Paterson first criticized thelegislature, saying their failure to fully resolve the current budgetcrisis left him to make the hard decisions.

"You have left me and other governors no choice," Paterson saidaccusingly. "Whether it be by vetoes or delayed spending, I will notwrite bad checks and we will not mortgage our children's future."

The governor next lit into what he called "special interests" who hesaid "intimidate, badger, and push when they don't get their way",even when "the cupboard is bare".

"Monied interests, many of them here today as guests, have got tounderstand that their days of influence in this Capitol arenumbered," said Paterson, to tepid applause.

Saying "we must address the chronic abuse of power", Patersonoutlined his plan for ethics reform, even taking a swipe atgovernment reform groups, whom he said "hid donors behind walls ofsanctimony".

The governor included the media in his litany of criticisms, sayingthe story of his supposed failure has already been written and the"ending ordained". He offered praise only to the late Percy Sutton, aHarlem political figure who's funeral he attended in the morning, andformer Governor George Pataki, who was at the speech.

"It was different", said Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, diplomatically.DiNapoli, who has been working closely with Paterson in recent monthsto get the word out on New York's dire financial condition, sayswhile the governor did not focus as much on the budget problems as inpast speeches, he's been conveying that message on a near dailybasis.

"The budget needs to be done in a timely fashion , and it needs to bedone in an open and transparent way," said DiNapoli. "All that waslacking last year."

Tim Kremer, with the State School Boards Association, a group thatthe governor labeled recently as an "extra special interest", saysthe speech was "disjointed", and made no mention of public education.

"It left me wondering what is the agenda'," Kremer said.

Business interests liked the governor's focus on economicdevelopment. Ken Adams, Business Council President says he also likedthe call for a state spending cap, but wish he'd heard even more.

"He didn't mention no new taxes, which is the quickest path toeconomic growth," said Adams.

Democratic legislative leaders hid any annoyance they might have feltwith the governor's harsh words. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silverpledged to work cooperatively with the governor, but pointed out thatAssembly Democrats had thought of many of the governor's ideas first.Silver was asked who he thought the governor might be criticizing inthe speech.

"I don't know who he meant," Silver answered.

Senate Leader John Sampson, who has experienced greater publictensions with the governor, said "we don't need to like one another,but we need to respect one another". Senator Sampson also said he'dwork with Paterson.

Republican leaders of the legislature, who appeared along with GOPChairman, Ed Cox, said the governor delivered a "republican message".Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos said perhaps the formerlyliberal Democrat Paterson was having a twinge of conscience for hispast support of new taxes and increased spending.

"I hope that this has been a conversion," Skelos said.

Paterson, at the end of his speech offered a parting shot to thosewho have written him off politically because of chronic low pollnumbers and struggles to raise funding.

"Story lines change," Paterson said. "People change".

The governor's presumed rival for the Democratic nomination forgovernor, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo presided over a packed postspeech reception, and was swarmed by well wishers. He told reportersthere that his only plans, presently, are to seek re-election asAttorney General. Cuomo said the governor, in his speech, "hit theright themes".